The arrest of fugitive narcotrafficker Mohamed Amra marks the end of over nine months of intense manhunt and international cooperation. Mohamed Amra, who was on the loose since his violent escape from custody, was apprehended by Romanian authorities on February 22, 2025, as confirmed by French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau.
On May 14, 2024, Amra was involved in a shocking incident at the toll booth of Incaville, Eure, France, where two prison officers lost their lives, and three others sustained injuries. The narrative unfolded dramatically—while being transferred from the prison of Évreux to interrogations, Amra was freed by armed assailants using aggressive tactics, including a ram-raid on the prison transport vehicle.
This violent escape led to Amra being named France's most wanted criminal. Described as “La Mouche” or “The Fly” within criminal circles, he had evaded justice for several months, prompting unrelenting investigations by over 300 law enforcement officials. Following the May incident, Interpol issued a Red Notice at the request of French authorities, enhancing the push to locate and apprehend him.
Upon Amra's arrest, Emmanuel Macron acknowledged, “I want to first thank European colleagues and congratulate the French investigators who, for months and months, have tracked Mohamed Amra. And I have emotional thoughts for the families of the prison staff he killed.” His sentiment was echoed by other officials, including Prime Minister François Bayrou, who jubilantly stated, “At the end, the police and justice always win.”
The relentless pursuit of Amra highlighted not only his significant criminal background—dating back to numerous convictions for theft and organized crime—but also the urgency placed upon authorities to re-evaluate security measures for transporting prisoners considered high-risk.
During his time on the run, Amra was suspected of orchestrated violent acts and was connected to various narcotrafficking operations, illustrating the severe violence now commonplace among modern drug traffickers. His criminal network allegedly implicated him in masterminding murders even from behind bars.
Bruno Retailleau stated, “I congratulate all forces who allowed Mohamed Amra’s arrest today. I warmly thank Romania for their decisive cooperation.” The cooperative efforts yielded success and demonstrated the international collaboration necessary to tackle cross-border criminal activity. It remains to be seen how this will impact Amra’s legal ramifications and what measures will be taken to bolster prison transport security moving forward.
Domestically, the emotional weight of the two prison officers’ deaths lingers, with Dominique Garcia, father of one of the slain agents, expressing mixed feelings of relief and frustration. “I am thrilled this individual, whom I will not name as he does not deserve it, has been apprehended. This proves when resources are allocated to police, they perform well, and for this, I thank them. Now we will enter the judicial phase,” he mentioned.
The Paris Prosecutor's Office remained cautious about the arrest, issuing statements confirming “the investigations led by investigators have led to the arrest of a man in Romania, likely to be Mohamed Amra. The verifications are currently underway.” This careful wording suggests due diligence continues, as the authorities piece together the full extent of Amra’s criminal activity and connections.
Months of fear and uncertainty embedded within France will take time to clear as the tragic events of May 2024 haunt communities. The case of Mohamed Amra serves as both a grim reminder of the virulent nature of organized crime and the continued efforts law enforcement must commit to eradiciying such threats.